Register by March 31, 2025, and save $100 on the 2025 Solo & Small Firm Conference.
DULUTH
Monday, August 5, 2024 - Tuesday, August 6, 2024
7:30 AM - 4:15 PM | Check-In: 7:15 AM
DECC
Duluth Entertainment Conv Ctr
350 Harbor Dr
Duluth, MN 55802
The can't-miss event for solo and small firm attorneys!
Minnesota CLE’s beloved Solo & Small Firm Conference returns to Duluth on August 4-6, 2024 with great content and great fun for all attendees and their families. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to improve your practice and enjoy a wonderful conference experience.
Join other solo and small firm attorneys in Duluth for a great time of learning, networking, and relaxation.
The Conference itself includes more than 40 helpful sessions – and you choose the ones that are best for you. Topics covered include practice management ideas, best technology tools, timesaving tips, substantive law, marketing and more! You'll learn strategies and hear ideas to help your law practice become more successful, to minimize stress, and to help you have more time to enjoy life. Spend time listening to and discussing practice issues with those who know it best…other solo and small firm attorneys from around the state. There is no place like it – where you can learn so much and have such a good time in the process.
And, as always, your family is welcome!
We invite your family to attend, at no extra charge, Sunday’s opening reception hosted by Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, our Monday evening event at the Duluth Depot, and the Conference lunches on both Monday and Tuesday. Of course, just being in Duluth in the summer is a great get-away. Your family will enjoy the lake walk, the ship watching, the beautiful scenery, and all that Duluth has to offer.
| Click HERE to RSVP for the Sunday Evening Welcome Reception and the Monday Evening Night at the Depot. |
Here are some of the sessions featured at this year's conference:
All Attendees Receive More than $850 in BONUS Practice Resources, Including:
Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to improve your practice and enjoy a wonderful conference experience.
7:15 – 8:15 a.m.
CHECK-IN, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.
SUNRISE SESSIONS
8:15 – 8:30 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
MSBA PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Samuel J. Edmunds (invited)
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
MONDAY KEYNOTE ADDRESS
How to Make Your Work Life Better – How to Get Control of Your Day, Reduce Your Anxiety and Increase Your Productivity!
Paul J. Unger; Affinity Consulting Group; Atlanta, Georgia
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A
A1
The Big Changes in Family Law, Child Support and Court Rules – and Practice Tips and Strategies
Lymari J. Santana
A2
An Estate Planning Law and Practice Update Including New Legislation Regarding TODDs and the Latest on Electronic Wills
Repeated at #F2
J. Steve Nys
A3
10 Tips to Make Your Litigation Case Better and Easier
Chad A. Snyder
A4
Help! My Inbox is Exploding! – How to Efficiently Process Email and Get Your Inbox Under Control
Paul J. Unger
A5
Marketing Roundtable – Ideas to Help You Create the Right New Business
Roy S. Ginsburg, Heather D. Olson & Benjamin A. Wagner
Leanne R. Fuith (moderator)
11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B
B1
Important Lessons Learned in 50 Years of Representing Individuals, Private Businesses and Nonprofits
J. Patrick Plunkett
B2
Preparing Client Estate Plans: A Balancing Act Between Avoiding Probate and Avoiding Medical Assistance Recovery Claims
Back by Popular Demand
Jill M. Sauber
B3
Tax Matters You Absolutely Need to Understand and How They Will Impact Your Clients
Benjamin A. Wagner
B4
How to Manage Multiple Tasks and Deadlines with Tools You Already Own
Paul J. Unger
B5
I Need Help! Hiring, Contracting, Outsourcing and Other Ways to Get the Support You Need
Jess L. Birken, Jason C. Kohlmeyer & Erin K. Turner
Eric T. Cooperstein (moderator)
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
LUNCH & NETWORKING
NOTE FOR SOLO & SMALL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE SECTION MEMBERS – Join your fellow Section members for lunch in the French River Room for good conversation and a discussion of Section matters.
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION
State of the Art: Sifting Through the Latest Data on Solo/Small Practice
Eric T. Cooperstein; Law Office of Eric T. Cooperstein, PLLC; Minneapolis
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C
C1
Helping Small Businesses Deal with the Myriad of New Minnesota Employment Laws
Leonard B. Segal
C2
7 Hard Probate Questions and Their Answers – From Identifying Clients, to Creditor Claims, to Closing Statements, and More
Susan L. Waldie
C3
The Best 30 Technology Tips I Know – They Can Make Practice Easier
Paul J. Unger
C4
Business Planning: How It Can Help Your Practice, Save You Headaches, and Improve Your Life
Leanne R. Fuith
C5
Manage Your Client Relations Effectively and Ethically – 7 Forms You Should (and may not) Be Using
(Illustrated with your complimentary Client Relations Formbook)
1.0 ethics credit applied for
Kent A. Gernander
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION D
D1
Watch Out! 10 Mistakes Attorneys Make in Drafting Wills
J. Patrick Plunkett
D2
30 Great Technology Tips to Help You Litigate Better – Software, Tools, Apps, and Incredibly Useful Websites
Paul J. Unger
D3
How to Set Up a Process for Dealing with Every Client Matter – From Intake Through Workflow and Even Closing the File
Heather D. Olson
D4
5 Secrets for Generating More Revenue Without Hiring More Staff or Working More Hours
Back by Popular Demand
Heather M. Gilbert
D5
Don’t Let the Jerks Get You Down – Dealing with Difficult Persons Including the Professional and Ethical Rules and Obligations that Guide You
1.0 ethics credit applied for
Chad A. Snyder
JOIN US FOR THESE MONDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES:
7:15 – 8:15 a.m.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.
SUNRISE SESSIONS
8:15 – 8:30 a.m.
INTRODUCTION TO DAY 2
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
TUESDAY KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Benefits of Using AI – How It Can Make Your Workflow Faster and More Accurate
Joshua Weaver; Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator; Austin, Texas
9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION E
E1
New Legislation Impacting Real Estate – Including Landlord-Tenant, TODDs, the New Lobbying Rules, Contracts for Deed, Plus the U.S. Supreme Court Sheetz Case Impacting Real Estate Developments
Jennifer L. Carey
E2
Dealing with the New Sick and Safe Time Law: A Survival Guide for the Small Business
Leonard B. Segal
E3
7 Tech Mistakes You Do Not Want to Make!
Todd C. Scott
E4
The Systems We Use to Increase Efficiency
Jess L. Birken, Jill M. Sauber & Erin K. Turner
Eric T. Cooperstein (moderator)
E5
Re-Branding Yourself – It’s Possible to Change Your Practice and Here’s How
Heather M. Gilbert
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION F
F1
Real Estate for the Family Lawyer
Marty G. Helle
F2
An Estate Planning Law and Practice Update Including New Legislation Regarding TODDs and the Latest on Electronic Wills
Repeat of #A2
J. Steve Nys
F3
Practical Use of ChatGPT – How to Get It, Use It, Prompt It, and Do It Safely
Paul M. Floyd, Todd C. Scott & Joshua Weaver
F4
Our Experiences Hiring, Paying, Training, and Keeping Staff Happy
Kay A. Biga & Patrick M. Spott
F5
Pricing, Billing and Getting Paid
Jason C. Kohlmeyer, Yvonne M. Novak & Heather D. Olson
Roy S. Ginsburg (moderator)
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH & NETWORKING
NOTE FOR GREATER MINNESOTA SECTION MEMBERS – Join your fellow Section members for lunch in the French River Room for good conversation and a discussion of Section matters, including solutions for hiring in Greater MN.
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION
The MLM Malpractice Report – Who Is Getting Sued and For What? Including Significant Changes in Liability Law and Steps You Can Take to Minimize Risk and Protect Your Practice
Joy Malbon-Griffin; Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company; Richmond, Virginia
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION G
G1
Real Estate for the Estate Planning and Probate Attorney
Marty G. Helle
G2
Criminal Law 101 – Understanding the Basics of Criminal Law and Procedure
Andrew T. Poole
G3
Microsoft Word for Dummies – 15 Tips to Make Your Work More Efficient and Easier
Jill M. Sauber
G4
I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now – Lessons Learned in Owning and Operating a Solo and Small Firm
Jess L. Birken, Yvonne M. Novak & Lymari J. Santana
Paul M. Floyd (moderator)
G5
Enough Is Enough! The Ethics of Withdrawing From Representation
1.0 ethics credit applied for
Eric T. Cooperstein
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION H
H1
A Roadmap to Effective, Ethical Business Development
1.0 ethics credit applied for
Roy S. Ginsburg
H2
The AI Tools Available and How to Use Them Most Effectively – With Demonstrations
Joshua Weaver
H3
Conflict Management – With Coworkers, Clients, or Anyone Else: How to Bring Down the Temperature and Get Resolution
Patrick M. Spott
H4
Understanding Stress, Trauma, Mental Health, and Addiction in the Legal Profession
1.0 elimination of bias credit applied for
Joan Bibelhausen & Jon Tynjala
LIVE IN-PERSON
Sunday-Tuesday, August 4-6, 2024
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, Minnesota
Make Hotel Reservations Early!
Minnesota CLE has secured reduced room rates at four great hotels in wonderful locations near the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). Reservations must be made by the dates noted below. Be sure to mention the Minnesota CLE Solo and Small Firm Conference when making your reservations.
Pier B Resort
$259-$289
800 West Railroad Street (on the harbor near the DECC)
218-481-8888
Reserve by: July 13, 2024
Inn on Lake Superior
$235-$322
350 Canal Park Drive (in Canal Park adjacent to the Lakewalk)
218-726-1111 / 888-668-4352
Reserve by: July 4, 2024
Canal Park Lodge
$259-$309
250 Canal Park Drive (in Canal Park adjacent to the Lakewalk)
218-279-6000
Reserve by: July 27, 2024
Fairfield Inn & Suites Duluth Waterfront
$199
1000 Minnesota Avenue (on Park Point)
218-623-3247
Reserve by: July 12, 2024
For additional lodging options, visit:
www.visitduluth.com/lodging
$395 MSBA members / $395 paralegals / $445 standard rate
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 12.0 total CLE credits. We also have applied for 1.0 ethics credit each for sessions #C5, #D5, #G5 and #H1 and for 1.0 elimination of bias credit for session #H4. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 12.0 credits, not including the post-conference webcasts.
